RNS Number:4277I
BG GROUP plc
07 March 2003



Media
Information

                                    7 March 2003
               BG Group to sell 50% of its North Caspian interest for
                                   $615 million.


BG Group ("BG") announced today that it has agreed to sell half of its interest
in the North Caspian Sea Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) - which includes the
Kashagan oil development - to CNOOC North Caspian Sea Ltd (a wholly owned
subsidiary of CNOOC Ltd of China), for a cash consideration of $615 million,
payable at completion.


Under the agreement, CNOOC Ltd will acquire a one twelfth (8.33%) interest in
the PSA. Following the sale, BG will retain a one twelfth (8.33%) interest.
Completion of the transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including
approval from the Kazakhstan authorities and the existing PSA partners waiving
pre-emption rights.


The North Caspian Sea PSA includes the Kashagan oil field, the Kalamkas oil
discovery and the Kairan, Aktote and Kashagan SW prospects, and is operated by
ENI, which holds a 16.67% interest. The other partners are ExxonMobil, Shell and
TotalFinaElf, each with 16.67% interest, and ConocoPhillips and INPEX, each with
8.33%.



Speaking today, BG Chief Executive Frank Chapman said:



"The agreement we have reached with CNOOC Ltd recognises the significant value
that BG and its partners have created in the North Caspian. This disposal arises
from BG's regular process of portfolio review, and the proceeds will be utilised
to further our aims of growing the business and strengthening returns.



"CNOOC will bring significant expertise to the North Caspian partnership, and we
look forward to working with them in the future.  BG remains strongly committed
to Kazakhstan - one of the most important countries in our portfolio. In
addition to our remaining interest in the North Caspian, we will continue to
contribute through our  involvement in the giant gas condensate field at
Karachaganak and in the Caspian Pipeline Consortium."



The effective date of the transaction is 1 January 2003, at which date the net
asset value of the interest to be sold was #114 million. The sale is expected to
complete during the course of 2003.  The North Caspian Sea PSA has yet to
commence production, and therefore did not contribute to BG's 2001 or 2002
profits.



There are matters discussed in this media information that are forward looking
statements. Such statements are only predictions and actual events or results
may differ materially. For a discussion of important factors that could cause
actual results to differ from the forward looking statements, refer to the
Company's annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 December 2001.



Notes to Editors

The North Caspian Sea PSA covers 5,600 square kilometres of the Kazakhstan
section of the Caspian Sea. The drilling of the first well, Kashagan East-1,
commenced in 1999 and, in June 2000, the partners announced the Kashagan
discovery. This was followed by the Kashagan West-1 well, which was also
successful. An appraisal programme comprising a 3-D seismic survey over the
whole of the Kashagan structure and five appraisal wells is well advanced. Two
wells, KE-2 and KE-3, have been successfully completed, two further wells, KE-4
and KE-5, are nearing completion, and the fifth, KE-6, will spud in the spring.
Front End Engineering Design for Kashagan development is under way. The
consortium has also drilled the Kalamkas exploration well, announced as a
discovery in October 2002. Three further exploration prospects within the
licence area are due to be drilled during 2003.



BG Group's business is in gas and oil exploration and production, and the
development and supply of international gas markets. BG is active in some 20
countries, including - in addition to Kazakhstan - the UK, Trinidad and Tobago,
the southern cone of South America, Egypt and India. In Kazakhstan, in addition
to its North Caspian interests, BG is joint operator (32.5%) of the Karachaganak
oil and gas condensate field, and is a shareholder in the Caspian Pipeline
Consortium (CPC) which links reserves in West Kazakhstan to the Black Sea and
exportation.


Enquiries:


Media                 Chris Carter/Robin O'Kelly 00 44 (0)118 929 2597/3186


Investor Relations    Chris Lloyd/Brian McCleery 00 44 (0)118 929 3025

Web: www.BG-Group.com


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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